Paddle Canada Sea Kayak Level-1 Skills
Schedule
Sat, 13 Jun, 2026 at 09:00 am to Sun, 14 Jun, 2026 at 05:00 pm
UTC-07:00Location
Dick Murphy Park, Campbell River, B.C. | Campbell River, BC
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Building on the information covered in Basic Skills, Sea Kayak Level-1 Skills is a two-day course that moves participants beyond flatwater kayaking and into the sport of sea kayaking.The course is conducted in slightly rougher water than Basic Kayak, aiming to develop the paddler’s comfort. There is a strong focus on re-entry techniques as well as the skills required to safely plan and execute a day trip with friends (for example, navigation & route planning, weather interpretation, proper clothing/gear.)
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to confidently paddle in class-1 conditions in the company of one or more paddlers with similar skills or knowledge. The paddler should be self-reliant yet an asset to the group and an active participant, willing and able to assist others if they need assistance.
Typical Course Length:
16 hours of instruction (2 days).
Course Water Class:
This course runs in Class-1 conditions which are described as:
Non-challenging waters with mild wind effect (0-20 km/h or 0–11 knots), little or no current (0-1 km/h or 0–0.5 knots), uninterrupted easy landing options, and ready access to land-based assistance. Sea state is calm to light chop.
Course Topics
Re-Entry Skills:
Solo re-entry
Assisted re-entry
Towing
Paddling Skills:
Launching and landing
Forward and reverse strokes
Stopping
Sweep stroke
Draw stroke
Low brace
Stern rudder
Edge control
Knowledge:
Equipment and equipment care
Communication
Route planning and basic navigation techniques
Half day kayak journey
Weather
Sea state
Risk assessment and mitigation
Cold issues and sun safety
Impact of kayakers on the environment
History and heritage
Vehicle boat tie down
Kayaking community and resources
Course Prerequisites:
Certification - Paddle Canada Basic Kayak skills certification or equivalent skill and knowledge at the discretion of the course director.
Paddling Experience:
Five kayaking excursions (2 or 3 hours) in class-0 conditions.
Can execute a controlled wet exit in class-0 conditions.
Can perform a simple assisted re-entry in class-0 conditions.
Location:
Dick Murphy Park - Campbell River, BC
What's Included?
2 full days of instruction by a certified Paddle Canada instructor, certification upon successful completion of the course
Kayak
Paddle
Sprayskirt
Pump
Paddle float
PFD
Whistle
15m buoyant heaving line
Please Bring:
Immersion apparel (drysuit, wetsuit, etc.)
Lunch and snacks
Water
Sun protection (glasses, hat, sunscreen)
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Where is it happening?
Dick Murphy Park, Campbell River, B.C., CanadaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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